HABIB BEYE today revealed that a behind closed doors defensive meeting has helped Newcastle United solve their problems in the back four.

Toon boss Kevin Keegan and his players have put in hours of work at the club’s training HQ in Benton and in the last three games their efforts have paid off.

Indeed, with Newcastle unbeaten in the last three games and now moving up the Premier League table days like the 6-0 and 4-1 losses to Manchester United and the 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa will hopefully be a distant memory with Reading at home another chance to extend United’s current hot steak.

Beye told the Chronicle: “When you concede a lot of goals like the game against Man U and four goals against Aston Villa you have to sit down and talk.

“You have to do something that will change things.

“After these games we spoke to the manager and everybody listened to the possibilities of how we could play better.

“Against Fulham we kept a clean sheet and then against Spurs we conceded just one goal which was a great header from Darren Bent.

“It’s good to work all of the time on keeping clean sheets.”

Yet despite the improvement at the back, Beye has hailed the efforts of the whole team following their emphatic win at Spurs.

The Senegal international paid tribute to his team-mates for all rolling their sleeves up and helping to stop the defensive crisis that threatened to cost Newcastle their Premier League status at one stage.

He added: “The defence worked really hard at Spurs.

“And when you are doing that at the back the midfield follow suit and the attack.

“Mark Viduka and Oba and Michael Owen also worked for the team.

“When the strikers defend from the front too it’s easier for the midfield and then it’s easier for the defence.”

Former Marseille skipper Beye says he won’t rule out relegation until Newcastle hit the 40 point mark.

And is focusing on another positive result against Reading on Saturday.

He said: “Forty points is the target, we have Reading next and we have to continue the confidence into that game.”